RUGBY UNION

Premiership final brought forward to help Lions preparation

Fixture clashes with Premiership and URC play-offs have prevented the touring team from enjoying proper preparation in previous years
John Westerby
The Times
The 2021 Premiership final was held only a week before the first tour fixture in South Africa
The 2021 Premiership final was held only a week before the first tour fixture in South Africa
DAVID ROGERS/GETTY IMAGES
John Westerby
The Times

The danger of British & Irish Lions tours being disrupted before they begin has been drastically reduced with the Gallagher Premiership set to confirm that its final will be moved forward by a week next season, ensuring England-based players will be available for all the Lions’ pre-tour preparation for the trip to Australia in 2025.

The Lions have struck a deal with both the Premiership and the United Rugby Championship (URC), building collaboration on scheduling and ending the fractious relationship that has blighted the build-up to Lions tours in recent years.

Warren Gatland, the Lions head coach on the three previous tours, had consistently argued that the Lions need more preparation time and, although Gatland recently confirmed that he would not be applying to become